The United States is on high alert amid growing fears that Israel may unilaterally strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran collapse, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Amid these concerns, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the U.S. will begin relocating personnel from the Middle East, particularly from Iran. “It could be a dangerous place,” he said. The State Department has approved the departure of some staff from Iraq, and the Pentagon is allowing military families to voluntarily leave U.S. bases in the region.
The heightened state of security coincides with stalled nuclear negotiations. Trump reiterated his stance that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly been preparing for a potential rapid strike on Iran if talks between the U.S. and Iran fail. According to sources quoted by Axios, “Bibi is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed about the negotiations and open to giving him the go-ahead.”
Trump himself has issued several warnings about possible military action should Iran continue enriching uranium, a key issue in the negotiations. In an interview with the New York Post, he admitted he was becoming “less confident” that Iran would agree to U.S. demands.
U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed concern that Israel might act without prior coordination with Washington, potentially triggering Iranian retaliation against American assets in the region and derailing the delicate diplomatic efforts underway.
Iran has issued stark warnings. On Wednesday, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that any Israeli attack would result in retaliatory strikes against U.S. bases in the region, given America’s longstanding support for Israel.
In response to rising tensions, the U.S. has instructed embassies in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa to establish emergency action committees and report risk mitigation plans. The State Department has also authorised voluntary departures from missions in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an updated global travel advisory reflecting the deteriorating regional stability. “On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions,” the advisory read.
The U.S. maintains a widespread military presence across the Middle East, including bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.